Brent Asmundson is looking for a sixth consecutive stint with Coquitlam city council, and believes more work needs to be done.
The tenured civic politician is now among five other incumbents seeking to reclaim their spot around the horseshoe in the 2022 municipal election — set for Oct. 15.
In officially announcing his campaign today (Sept. 6), Asmundson claims local office needs to continue to advocate for "much needed housing" as the city's population is expected to grow by the thousands in the years to come.
And that includes creating affordable and supportive housing options, according to the 32-year resident's campaign profile.
"Coquitlam council through its affordable housing strategy has helped stimulate the construction and creation of a wide range of housing choices with more than 10,000 market rentals, over 2,000 below market rentals and seniors housing," Asmundson said in a statement sent to the Tri-City News.
"If I am re-elected, I will collaborate with my council colleagues to make Coquitlam a great place to live work and play."
Asmundson added he wants council to ensure every resident has the amenities they need to grow in the community regardless of where and how they live.
Some of the work he was most proud of during his last term included the addition of the YMCA in Burquitlam, the expansion of the City Centre Aquatics Complex and the completion of the artifical field at Centennial Secondary.
His platform also includes ensuring citizens' taxpayer dollars will prove valuable through responsible infrastructure, and advocating for a community response team that puts mental health first.
Asmundson was first elected to Coquitlam city council in 2005.
In the 2018 election, he earned 44 per cent of the ballot (10,652 votes) and won the fifth seat on council.
Other council candidates who have announced their campaign entry to the Tri-City News are Matt Djonlic, Ali Tootian, Harvey Su, Rob Bottos, Ben Craig, Benjamin Perry, Robert Mazzarolo, Paul Lambert, Phil Buchan and incumbents Coun. Craig Hodge, Coun. Dennis Marsden, Coun. Steve Kim, Coun. Trish Mandewo and Coun. Teri Towner.
Meanwhile, Richard Stewart is seeking another term as Coquitlam mayor. He and Adel Gamar are the only two to announce their intentions to run for the big chair.
For more information on Asmundson and his platform, you can visit his campaign website.
He can also be reached directly by email, [email protected] or through his Facebook and Twitter pages.
As well, the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce has scheduled a series of all-candidates debates for local 2022 civic elections.
Coquitlam mayor and council nominees will get the chance to speak to the issues that matter to them, and take questions from the public, at the Evergreen Cultural Centre on Sept. 22.
